TUG-of-love dad Ian Lomax has made the hardest decision of his life - to give up the battle to bring his son back to England.

Mr Lomax has been embroiled in a bitter legal row over his son after his ex-wife Helen kept Christopher in her homeland of Greece when the family went on holiday there in 1998.

But now he says the psychological and emotional impact of the situation and numerous court appearances are making Christopher's life a misery - something he cannot bear to watch.

Mr Lomax has written a letter to the Lord Chancellor's office to say that he will end the six-year battle to bring Christopher back, but will continue his access visits in Greece.

He was told that a court appearance in November would be his last, but has since been asked to return to Greece for a further court session in September.

Mr Lomax's letter, which will be passed on to Greek authorities, states that he will not be appearing for "financial and emotional" reasons.

The 46-year-old, who lives on Alder Street, Great Lever, is expecting another child with his current wife. They already have a daughter, Amy-Louise.

He says that the mounting financial costs of airfares to attend Greek courts is also something which he must also consider.

Mr Lomax said: "It absolutely breaks my heart to make this decision, but I cannot bear this any longer.

"Last time I saw Christopher he was such a mess. It is ruining his life and mine, and we are both suffering so much over this.

"Christopher is too afraid to tell a court and his family in Greece that he would like to come home, and I have tried everything to change that.

"But I feel I should now leave him to live his life in Greece and hope that one day when he is old enough, Christopher will decide to return to England.

"I will continue visiting him over there, but it is unfair to keep dragging a child through the courts.

"Christopher is due to start secondary school and desperately needs to settle down before his life is ruined. He's suffered enough.

"This is the hardest decision I've ever made, and I hope people can understand what this is doing to us, especially Christopher, and why I have decided not to continue.

"But I want to thank the people of Bolton for all their support and invaluable help over these difficult six years."